Take two things that are effective and held in high esteem, now combine them. What do you get? The best of both worlds. That’s how we would describe acid toners, a newer, noteworthy addition to the skincare sphere. Based on the name alone, you can guess the things they bring together—toning and acids—but of course, there’s more to know.

If acid toners have yet to hit your radar, you’re in for a treat. Ahead, we’ll break down exactly what this skincare category refers to, why we recommend this type of exfoliating toner, and how to use one. Read on for the full scoop.

Are Toners and Acids The Same?

To start, let’s get something clear: toners and acids aren’t the same. Here’s a quick refresher on what each is and how they differ.

Toners:

A toner is a liquid skincare product that can do a multitude of things for your skin. It’s applied after your cleanser but before serums or moisturizer and serves as an extra layer of cleansing, working to remove any remaining impurities or lingering face wash residue. Toner benefits depend on the formula, but common ones include brightening, smoothing, pore-minimizing, and exfoliating.

Acids:

The major difference between acids and toners is that an acid isn’t a product type. It’s a type of ingredient, which can be found in many different products. To name a few: cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and, yes, toners.

When it comes to skincare products, there are two main categories of acids. These are alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs and BHAs. Both are types of chemical exfoliants that slough away dead skin cells. Alpha-hydroxy acids, which include glycolic acid and lactic acid, have benefits such as visible brightening and reducing the appearance of fine lines and discolorations. Beta-hydroxy acids, of which salicylic acid is the most popular, are often found in products for acne-prone skin.

What Is an Acid Toner?

An acid toner, as you might suspect, refers to a toner that contains either an alpha- or beta-hydroxy acid. Typically, when we talk about acid toners, these are formulas with a (relatively) high concentration of an acid. They can also be referred to as liquid exfoliants or exfoliating toners. While their benefits can vary just like any other toner, they all share one thing in common: They slough away dead skin cells. Popular types of acid toners include glycolic acid toners and salicylic acid toners.

Why Should You Use an Acid Toner?

As we mentioned, there are many different products formulated with acids. That begs the question, why toner? We recommend acid toners in particular because they offer gentle exfoliation. Below, discover four of our best exfoliating toners and better understand the hype.

Milk-Peel Gentle Exfoliating Toner

This gentle toner with lipo-hydroxy acid, a form of salicylic acid, is clinically demonstrated to gently exfoliate without causing discomfort. It also restores moisture levels for a hydrated, comfortable feel and visibly brightens skin. The formula is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and can be used daily.

Try it:

Shake well before use, then moisten a cotton pad with the exfoliating toner and gently swipe it onto your clean, dry face. Afterward, apply a serum. We recommend our dark spot corrector, which also contains an acid (buffered salicylic acid).

How Often Should You Use Acid Toners?

Like most products, how often you should use an acid toner depends on the specific formula you use. While acids may seem like they would be too harsh for daily use, that’s not necessarily true. Some exfoliating toners can be used every day, including each of the toners we introduced you to above, while others are meant to supplement the rest of your routine a few times per week. We recommend following the instructions that coordinate with your acid toner, rather than applying some blanket rule on frequency.

That said, we do have a general rule that can be applied to sloughing your skin: start slow and ease into it. Different skin types can handle different frequencies and intensities of exfoliation, which is what makes this a wise choice. Over-exfoliating can lead to irritated, stressed skin. If you aren’t sure what’s right for you, begin with exfoliating once per week and work your way up after you see that your skin responds well.

Next: In addition to exfoliating toner, there’s another skin-sloughing product you may want to consider for your routine: exfoliating cleanser. Read all about this product type in our article, How To Use an Exfoliating Face Wash.